Dacia is teaming up with Prodrive for a crack at the Dakar Rally

In what is almost certainly the most unexpected news of the day, Dacia has announced that it plans to enter the Dakar Rally in 2025, and its T1+ cars will be driven by Sébastien Loeb and Cristina Gutiérrez Herrero. This makes us very happy indeed.

And the good news doesn’t stop there, because the Dacia factory outfit will be teaming up with none other than Prodrive for the development of its cars. Just imagine – the dune-bashing Dacia could look something like the lovechild of a BRX Hunter and a Duster. 

The cars will run on synthetic test fuel supplied by Aramco too, and nine-time world rally champion Loeb and Extreme E champion Herrero – who also has seven Dakar rallies under her belt – will begin testing in 2024. 

We’re told that the cars will compete in the 2024 Rallye du Maroc as a test event before joining the World Rally-Raid Championship for the 2025 season. That’ll culminate with a run at the Dakar, where Dacia will go up against things like the all-conquering Toyota Hilux and Ford’s new Ranger Raptor entry.

“Dacia and Dakar are a perfect match,” said the budget brand’s boss Denis Le Vot. “Not only is this a test of Dacia's true robustness, but it is also a showing of our commitment to low-carbon mobility. We are very excited to take part in Dakar with synthetic fuel technology. Dacia, alongside the best team and drivers in the game, are serious contenders for the rally.”

No pressure then, folks…